Non-members at Gillette [Archive]

PGlaves

11-12-2007, 01:34 PM

Hello, I can't seem to find the answer to this question. There's a couple of people who wish to ride with me to Gillette. Two of the group do not own BMW's. I'm hoping to change their opinions. :heart

My question is, are non-members allowed to attend? I'm thinking at least a couple will join once they go.

Thanks in advance!

Yes!

Open to BMW riders and their guests! You are their host.

And at registration nobody is looking at the bike. And in the campground unless they have straight piped behemoths with a calliope attached nobody cares, except they might want to take pictures.

Pat Carol

11-12-2007, 09:58 PM

I had a guy the volunteered to work first aid. He was not an MOA member but it was nice that he volunteered his time. I am hoping that he is convinced to become a member. His name is Sonny Yuen. A super nice guy that fit in very well with all of us.
i am sure your friends will enjoy the Gillette rally.

Take Care
PC

Hello, I can't seem to find the answer to this question. There's a couple of people who wish to ride with me to Gillette. Two of the group do not own BMW's. I'm hoping to change their opinions. :heart

My question is, are non-members allowed to attend? I'm thinking at least a couple will join once they go.

Thanks in advance!

Mika

11-12-2007, 10:29 PM

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/174533926-M.jpg

rinty

11-13-2007, 05:26 PM

Is that Brad's VFR? The one with the super luggage?:laugh

Rinty

BubbaZanetti

11-13-2007, 05:31 PM

gonna bump this up to the rally forum

Mika

11-13-2007, 05:33 PM

Is that Brad's VFR? The one with the super luggage?:laugh

Rinty

No, just 4 bikes parked together in harmony showing anyone can come.

PAULBACH

11-13-2007, 06:19 PM

No, just 4 bikes parked together in harmony showing anyone can come.

Not quite anyone - I was surprised to learn that policy is MOA members and their guests. Adhering strictly to the policy in place riders who are not members or guests of members may not enter the rally.

As a champion of cash flow, no matter what the color of the money this policy surprise me.

I learned it is a matter of protection of member property.

BradfordBenn

11-13-2007, 10:26 PM

Is that Brad's VFR? The one with the super luggage?:laugh

Rinty
Definitely not mine, Camp BEERS is not in sight.

kbasa

11-14-2007, 05:05 AM

Definitely not mine, Camp BEERS is not in sight.

I think that's a 2001, as well.

Mongo

11-14-2007, 08:03 AM

I went as a guest on a non-BMW ride and had a great time. I volunteered everyday and felt very welcome.

TIGER

11-15-2007, 08:41 PM

this photo must have been a guest- we got a great kick out of the signage.- ok - so I cannot get the photo to attach; it is of a dark green (non bmw) in front of a "Manure Only, No Plastic, No Glass, No Paper" sign- anyone else see it Friday night?

daniel1025

11-15-2007, 10:46 PM

While my wife and I were in Wisconsin at the national rally, we were lucky enough to have friends who lived in the area and were our personal guides. We followed the Harley for two 8 hour days. Late Saturday afternoon we went to the fair grounds to check things out. Even though they ribbed us for two days about riding a BMW, they wanted to come in and check out what a BMW was like and the products the vendors had available. They were turned away at the front door, so they told us they would check and see if they sold day passes and would meet us inside. After an hour or so we went out to check on them only to find them sitting waiting for us. They were told it would cost them $70.00 to get in, (price for the whole weekend). My wife and I were appawled to find out no day passes were available. They told us to sit and watch how many people were getting turned away. In fifteen minutes we watched ten people get turned away. I can only imagine how many were turned away in the three days of the event. Not only was BMWMOA , (not to mention the vendors) loosing money but also loosing the possibilty of turning some people on to BMW's. I read in the BMWMOA magazines questions on how we can get new and younger riders interested. It sure wont happen at the national rallies as long as this is there policy. I have read in the forum others who have commented on this very subject.
This issue needs to be addressed.

rkasal

11-16-2007, 11:13 AM

Yes!

Open to BMW riders and their guests! You are their host.

And at registration nobody is looking at the bike. And in the campground unless they have straight piped behemoths with a calliope attached nobody cares, except they might want to take pictures.

Haha, no, no straight pipes. We are so quiet most people probably won't even know we are there. One of the two guys coming from California thought he wouldn't be welcome. Another BMWMOA member from the east coast talked him into it so I think we're all coming. Should be a good time.

A group of us heading in from the east and a group from the west with one from the NW. Now, if only they had decent beer.

SHAG

11-16-2007, 05:55 PM

While my wife and I were in Wisconsin at the national rally, Late Saturday afternoon we went to the fair grounds to check things out. Even though they ribbed us for two days about riding a BMW, they wanted to come in and check out what a BMW was like and the products the vendors had available. They were turned away at the front door, They were told it would cost them $70.00 to get in, (price for the whole weekend). I can only imagine how many were turned away in the three days of the event. Not only was BMWMOA , (not to mention the vendors) loosing money but also loosing the possibilty of turning some people on to BMW's.
This issue needs to be addressed.

$35 entrance fee is low considering having the chance to win expensive door prizes & maybe a bike! If you stay for 3 days, you really get your moneys worth.

We met a young couple at West Bend just about to get into riding BMW's. They were local & intended on visiting the site for one day (Friday). They thought the $35 entry fee was a little high until they hung around awhile, picked their new bikes from the demo display (F800's) & tried on gear for hours. They decided to hang around to see what happened after dark & they would be back all day Saturday to check their tickets & see what the closing ceremony was like, have a couple beers & check out the bands. They said they were having too much fun to leave. They also said they would not be able to make Gillette because they are taking 08 to get their camping gear, practice short trips & get the gadgets they need for the future. They would definately be at the 2009 Rally.

I vote for no day passes. :deal

rkasal

11-16-2007, 05:57 PM

$35 entrance fee is low considering having the chance to win expensive door prizes & maybe a bike! If you stay for 3 days, you really get your moneys worth.

We met a young couple at West Bend just about to get into riding BMW's. They were local & intended on visiting the site for one day (Friday). They thought the $35 entry fee was a little high until they hung around awhile, picked their new bikes from the demo display (F800's) & tried on gear for hours. They decided to hang around to see what happened after dark & they would be back all day Saturday to check their tickets & see what the closing ceremony was like, have a couple beers & check out the bands. They said they were having too much fun to leave. They also said they would not be able to make Gillette because they are taking 08 to get their camping gear, practice short trips & get the gadgets they need for the future. They would definately be at the 2009 Rally.

I vote for no day passes. :deal

I don't have enough information to opine as to whether they should or should not have day passes but they should tell people what they might miss on each day. This may entice people to purchase an admission.

tommcgee

11-16-2007, 06:18 PM

I don't have enough information to opine as to whether they should or should not have day passes but they should tell people what they might miss on each day. This may entice people to purchase an admission.

Do they sell memberships at the gate? They ought to.

rkasal

11-16-2007, 06:37 PM

Do they sell memberships at the gate? They ought to.

Good question. They should at the gate, shouldn't they?

Friedle

11-16-2007, 09:26 PM

The day pass question comes up every year, but usually not this early.

The short form of the answer is: "We have day passes. They are $35 each.
They are good for one, two, three or four days. You can decide how many days you would like to use them for."

There are quite a few compelling reasons for this policy. No I am not going into them now, later or again for the umpteenth year in a row. It might change someday, but I'm not holding my breath. :brow

Friedle

wanderer

11-17-2007, 04:23 AM

Since I've read about day passes before, and for some reason I doubt the subject will stop here, I'll voice my opinion sooner rather than later.

I went to the board meeting and tour of the Camplex in Gillette. One of the things I observed that I hadn't given much thought to were the discussions about security. By that, I mean a fully fenced perimiter with controlled access points. I'm sure there's other security as well but I'm not discussing that.

In going to past rallies I never really had any sense of "Security." I now believe it is a major concern but is kept very low key. At rallies we stroll through literally millions of dollars worth of motorcycles, GPS's, radar detectors, bikes with the keys in the ignition, helmets, tents, sleeping bags, Kermit chairs and lots of other high value, very portable, easily sold stuff.

I think there is a reason to not have $5 or $10 day passes. It allows us, the members, to keep our quasi open society with a realitive high degree of probability that our stuff will be there when we get back to the tent at night. I know when I motorcycle tour around the country I would never go for a day ride and leave my stuff laying around any KOA or State or National camp site the way I do at a BMW rally. Maybe I'm nuts or paranoid but that's my opinion.

In short, to some extent, I believe $35 keeps out the undesireables. Might it also exclude some people we would love to let in, yes probably so, but I'll take the trade off. Would $35 stop a determined professional thief? Of course not. Might $35 stop some casual punks who may be walking around a "biker rally" from picking up a momento? Yea, it just might keep them out. :bikes

PAULBACH

11-17-2007, 06:55 AM

I have some angst when we assume all BMW riders are leave my tent open and leave my key in the ignition honest while riders of other Marquees can not demonstrate that same high standard.

But even if other riders want to attend, $35 will not gain them admission unless they are MOA members or guests of MOA members.

wanderer

11-17-2007, 09:57 AM

I was/am unaware of anyone having been turned away due to lack of a BMWMOA member endorsement. I am aware it is the official policy but I was unaware of anyone wanting to participate being denied entry. It is my belief, and I MAY BE WRONG ON THIS POINT, that people may be admitted as a guest of the club, or an individual worker, at the registration tent. I could see how that clause could be invoked to denie entry if the MOA registration folks felt a situation required it. Most business' have a sign on the door these days saying "we may deny service to anyone", I don't see this as any different.

I certainly am not suggesting anything about the honesty of any motorcyclists as to a brand of motorcycle, in fact I would find that absurd. Any referrence about brand of bike didn't come from me. I think I'm the same person I was when I rode Harleys, possibly a bit wiser. :D

If anyone posting here is personally aware of someone being turned away at the gate due to lack of a "sponsor" I'd certainly like to read about it.

I'm not nearly as concerned with the printed policies of the MOA as I am regarding how they/we go about our business. I have never felt anything but a totally friendly atmosphere at any rally I have attended and well... yea I have seen a lot of tent flaps open and keys hanging in bikes. That statement has nothing to do with other people or get togethers nor did I intend to infer that. It is a first hand observation of what I have personally witnessed at BMWMOA events.

KGT1200

11-17-2007, 11:52 AM

If I worked at registration, and somebody was standing there about to be turned back for not being a member, I would first of all give him some free drink coupons, shake his hand, thank him for coming, then SELL HIM A DAMN MEMBERSHIP DUH! Cut a deal, give him 20% off on the entry fee if he pays full price on a 2 year membership! While your at it, sell him the /7 behind the tent, so now he has a Beemer! If you can't sell, you shouldn't be in the reception tent!

Now if I was in line behind this guy and he was refused because he had no sponser, Would I most likely make an immediate offer of sponsorship UNLESS the guy/gal was drunk or otherwise being an obnoxious jerk? That would be the moral line for me. From what I saw at the rally was a camaraderie I have never seen anywhere else, and wouldn't want to dilute that in any way.

BUT

This is a great club; BMWs have this great fraternity, not snobbish and not discriminatory; But the club rally may have to dilute in terms of types of people in order to survive in this changing world; and that I believe is a fact.

Many of us found our way here, and have friends we wish to introduce to the BMW MOA Rally. I am doing my best, have a friend groomed, and shopping for his first beemer, but it's not the only way to bring in new members..

However in reality I got to stick with Mark Twain. Mr. Clemens is known for the line I have to paraphrase here: I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member....:deal

Rapid_Roy

11-17-2007, 01:15 PM

However in reality I got to stick with Mark Twain. Mr. Clemens is known for the line I have to paraphrase here: I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member....:deal

Wow, all these years I thought Groucho Marx came up with that line.

Mongo

11-17-2007, 01:20 PM

I rolled in on my HD by myself, paid the entrance fee for the day pass ($35.00). I Immediately volunteered and started signing up others. I don't recall anyone asking me about a sponsor. I was asked if I had a membership and was solicited to get one when I didn't. I never met any resistance to being there. I felt very welcome. :clap

Go to any concert for someone of any notoriety and you will pay at least $35.00 for two hours entertainment.

KGT1200

11-17-2007, 01:50 PM

Wow, all these years I thought Groucho Marx came up with that line.

Er, who the hell remembers this stuff but it was grouchos line? thats why I had to paraphrase the phrase, I guess i better paraphrase the author!

Let me restate..."somebody great with a mustache once said........":buds

kenk

11-17-2007, 02:18 PM

KGT1200

11-17-2007, 05:07 PM

It takes all types!:bikes Welcome back to the forum Kenk!

The_Veg

11-19-2007, 10:22 AM

Go to any concert for someone of any notoriety and you will pay at least $35.00 for two hours entertainment.

I'd sure love to find some good concerts for ONLY $35. The 'at least' part is the difficult bit.

sachiwilson

11-19-2007, 10:51 AM

Baile82604

12-08-2007, 11:46 AM

:dance Telling 'em that a membership fee is only about 50, and the rally istself about the same, along with a BMWMOA link. Most people that have spent more that 20 times as much for a sheepdip campsite in Sturgis, will understand the value.
I did not realize day passes might be possible, but here's the thoughts I expressed:
Lots of beautiful motorcycles.
Lots of people who love to ride.
Music, food, beer, and dancing.
Good times.
Riding goodies (How I got my tankbags and rainsuits)
Camping goodies.
Gorgeous women.
Women who actually ride.
Probably good lookin fellas for the women who love them.
Lots of great riding.
Couple weeks before Sturgis: kind of a practise run...Sturgis foreplay if you will.
Ratty bikes (like my 58 R69) that have tons of miles on 'em.
Ratty riders (like me) who also withstood the test of time(or failed..LOL)
Great seminars (women who ride, pick up a monster bike, safe riding)
Learning the difference of a bison, antelope, jackalope, or sheep)
Old west history.
New west history.

I note: that it is not uncommon for a Harley owner to also own a Beemer. It is also not uncommon for a Beemer owner to own a Harley. And I also mention that
the worse that can happen is they had a good time. The worse is they are now trying to figure how to explain that there is a new BMW in their garage now! LOL
Many mc tourers are goin' through anyway, and if they can stop and enjoy what we all do, maybe they would like to be amongst us more!

Once again, those who have been to Sturgis will attest that it is far more cost effective. Same great fun, at a more user friendly prices. And they will relate.
I paid a friend of mines membership to the Missoula rally (the last one. My dad paid for mine on the first one).

And welcome to Wyoming!
Michael A. Bailey
Casper, WY
58 R69
83 80RT
87 K100LT

theLuz

12-13-2007, 01:06 PM

It takes all types!:bikes Welcome back to the forum Kenk!

it doesn't take all types: we just have all types.:groovy

theLuz

12-13-2007, 01:17 PM

I don't have a BMW (see the bright yellow Honda 599 in my avatar) but I've found that BMW riders have a lot in common with me and the way I ride, so I decided to sign up. (As for the bikes, I am very impressed with the F800s even though I have no need for one at the moment!) I also was interested in joining the crew at the rallies, so it was an easy choice.

hey. Are you going to the Nationals? If so, how and when are you going? I'm in Glen Ivy and considering going. I figure ~ 2 days to get there, camping somewhere on the way. Do you have anyone to ride with, yet?:groovy